Should Have Listened To Abe

Lincoln was right: You can’t fool all the people all the time. A new Monmouth University/Gannett poll shows only 10 percent of us expect “significant savings” from the seven-month effort to reform property taxes. My colleague Jon Tamari writes much of the blame is laid at Corzine’s feet with about half of those surveyed saying the governor showed “too little” leadership on property taxes. One of those polled, Dan Yancheck, told reporter Tamari he thinks Corzine caved in to labor unions. Even so, on another question, 44 percent approved of Corzine’s overall performance while 34 percent disapproved. I suspect that after the checks have been distributed and people realize the bigger rebate checks were eaten up by bigger taxes and fees and nothing was changed to make government more efficicent, that 34 percent figure will grow. The public should remember the Legislature had a major hand in doing nothing productive as well. Perhaps U.S. Attorney Chris Christie’s intrepid G-men and their subpoenas will help out there.

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About Bob Ingle

Bob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption" and "Chris Christie: The Inside Story Of His Rise To Power". He has won numerous journalism awards and is often a news analyst on radio and television. Twitter @ bobingle99.

5 Responses to Should Have Listened To Abe

Respectfully, I disagree with your (Lincoln’s) statement that “you can’t fool all the people all the time.”…you should have added the caveat, except here in NJ.

I say that since the overwhelming response to the poll of property tax reform was 90% think it is the farce many knew it would be, but only 34% disapprove of Corzine’s overall performance??

His overall performance is exactly like his property tax reform,… his position on dealing with the unions, the bogus caps on future spending, his tax increase, increased budget, failed ethics reform, etc., etc.

You know I think Scott has a lot of valid points in his post. But I will take a bit of exception regarding his statement that most voters are uninformed.

As we all know barely 1/2 the eligible voters even vote in this State. Why? My belief is that most folks (or at least 1/2) don’t think their votes mean anything, and decide not to participate in the system.

Sad, but true, and one of my pet peeves with the way this government functions (not only State, but Federal level also)is gerrymandering. Have you taken a look at some of these districts? I believe the 12th stretches along the Jersey Shore, though enclaves like Rumson, Red Bank, includes middle class Hightstown, and end up somewhere in the heart of Mercer County. Now honestly, what kind of district is that? Of course that district has mostly well to do folks in it. Other districts are carved out for different ethinic/religious majorities. Why can’t they just grid up NJ by population, and let the best man/woman win, regardless of socio, economic, or religious backgrounds? The primary contests are mainly uncontested, due to the lockdown of the party by the county powerbrokers (thats George Gilmore, in my county. Who are the county powerbrokers in your county?)

I’m in a majority GOP county, but my representatives do nothing. Is there any chance of a primary? NO Any chance short of the guy being a complete dirtbag, him losing to a weak, underfinanced candidate the DEM’s put up? NOSimply put, we have no choice. I’d vote out Senator Singer in a heartbeat, but you think that guy is going to face a credible primary challenge? highly doubtful

This country was built on choice, but amazingly enough, we have so few choices/options on our election ballots.

So in the end, that’s what NJ ends up getting these family political dynasties, and little or no change on the county level for the party’s rep that goes to Trenton.No wonder turnout is less than 50%, because folks have no real choice on the ballot.

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Bob Ingle, Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers, on politics in "The Soprano State".

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Bob IngleBob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey Newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption." Hear him Fridays at 5 p.m. on www.tommygshow.com radio. twitter.com/bobingle99 E-mail Bob

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"Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power," written by Bob Ingle and Michael Symons, offers the first inside portrait of New Jersey’s governor, who in two years as governor emerged as a national Republican Party figure famous for his blunt public statements. The book details Christie’s combative public persona and deep family roots, tracing his improbable political rise from a bruising stint in county government to his anti-corruption crusade as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold..

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